Boss orders teenager to skip school and turn up to cover shift at work, sparking debate

In today’s work culture, bosses and managers juggle multiple roles, balancing workplace operations with supporting their teams. Yet, not all leaders show understanding, especially toward younger employees. One teenage worker, known as u/No_Minute_8239 on Reddit, shared how their boss reacted harshly when they prioritized their education over a work shift. The high schooler described the confrontation and how they ultimately handled the situation.

In a widely shared Reddit post, the teen explained they began working at 15, eager to earn some money. Despite their age, they were hired for a full-time role, which they accepted enthusiastically. Now 16, the student shared how they were scheduled to work a shift from 1 PM to 9:30 PM—directly conflicting with their school hours from 9:00 AM to 3:30 PM. Forced to choose, they prioritized their education, as any high schooler would.

The teen called their boss to explain the scheduling conflict, hoping for understanding. Instead, the boss dismissed their concerns and told them to find someone to cover the shift. “And, if I couldn't, she would cut me,” they added, suggesting that the dedicated worker trying to make ends meet would end up losing the payment for the day.

“I attempted to ask if anyone could cover my shift, but no one responded. As a result, I messaged her again, requesting that she remove me from the schedule as she had mentioned,” the employee’s post read. Cut to Monday, the day when the workers’ schedule clashed, they received a message at around 9:30 AM, in between school time. It was her boss asking the high schooler if the latter had any room to come to work for a 5:30 PM to 9:30 PM shift. The teen, who at this time had already planned the day, did some explaining. “I informed them that I had prior plans, but they responded by stating that I was required to come in. They added that if I failed to do so, I would be marked as a no-show,” the post further stated.

The teen found it unfair to be pressured at the last minute. “I was told that I would get cut. So, I made the plans according to what my boss had told me,” the high schooler said, complaining about how they were almost forced to show up. In the comments section, a majority of people empathized with the employee. Among them, u/fenriq wrote, “They are aware of your schedule and continue to disrespect both it and you. Set firm boundaries, or allow them to fire you, or consider quitting.” u/CajunMaverick added, "Hopefully you have documentation that shows you were scheduled during school hours. When you're eventually fired, show that to the DOL.” The teen updated readers that they left the job in June earlier this year.